By Ngw’ono Bw’Otwere
President William Samoei Ruto on Tuesday presided over the signing of a landmark construction contract between Bamburi Cement Plc and Sinoma CBMI Construction Company Limited.
This, the President said, marked a major step in Kenya’s industrialisation journey.
The ceremony, held at a Nairobi hotel, sealed plans for the development of a state-of-the-art clinkerisation plant in Matuga, Kwale County, a project expected to reshape the country’s cement manufacturing landscape.
The agreement signals a significant investment in local production, as Bamburi Cement moves to double its capacity and reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported clinker.
Valued at approximately USD 250 million (about KSh 32 billion), the project will deliver a 1.6 million tonnes-per-year clinker plant, designed to stabilise cement supply and prices while strengthening the resilience of the domestic construction value chain.
The 5,000-tonnes-per-day facility will deploy modern production technology, integrating alternative fuel systems, solar power and locally sourced raw materials.
These features place the project firmly within Bamburi Cement’s decarbonisation roadmap and align with Kenya’s broader push for green, climate-smart industrial growth at a time when sustainability is becoming central to manufacturing.
Construction of the Matuga plant is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with the first clinker expected by early 2028.
At the height of construction, the project is projected to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, injecting fresh economic activity into Kwale County and the wider coastal region.
Once operational, the plant is expected to support key national priorities, including affordable housing, roads, ports and industrial parks, by ensuring a reliable supply of locally produced cement inputs.
Sinoma CBMI Construction, a global leader in cement engineering, will deliver the project on a turnkey basis, bringing advanced engineering expertise and efficiency to its execution.
The partnership reflects growing investor confidence in Kenya’s manufacturing sector and the country’s appeal as a destination for large-scale, value-adding industrial investments.
President Ruto’s presence at the signing underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening local manufacturing, creating jobs and promoting value addition, as Kenya positions itself as a regional hub for construction and industrial development.